Freddies edge Danville in five-set battle; Centerburg sweeps Northmor

Things were going well for the Fredericktown volleyball team early Tuesday.

The Freddies used some big hits and big runs to win the first two sets against Danville. But, things changed in an instant and the Blue Devils were able to force a fifth set. Trailing 12-10 in the finale, Fredericktown scored the final five points to escape with a 25-17, 25-19, 19-25, 23-25, 15-12 victory over the host Blue Devils.

“We were just out there for each other playing hard,” said Fredericktown coach Roni Masters. “We love a good comeback. This team loves a good comeback. I always believe in them to be the comeback team because I know they can do it, and they’ve done it a hundred times.”

The Freddies (7-6 overall, 6-2 Knox Morrow Athletic Conference) controlled things in the first two sets with their serving and their play at the net, especially Mya Bryant, Ella Bouton and Gracyn Toombs. They were able to keep Danville (6-8, 3-5) off balance by putting the ball in tough to reach spots.

Even though they lost the second set, Danville built some momentum as they rallied from a 6-0 deficit to close the gap to 16-14. The Devils found something in that set and went to work in the third.

“I think we definitely had a mindset change (in the third set),” said Danville coach Morgan Spitler. “I was really proud of the way they walked off the court after the second set. It wasn’t a ‘we just got beat. Let’s give up.’ It was a no; we have another set to fight. For them to walk off with that feeling that gave me confidence in them. I think it was all about team comradery there in the end.”

A big key in the comeback was the play of Danville’s back row. The Devils, led by libero Kayley Sheldon, were able to start getting those attacks up to setter Kenzi Staats, who then turned that into points from Zoey Neitzelt, Avery Mezie and others on the front line.

“We definitely had some really, really good serve receives and digs from the back row. They were phenomenal today,” Spitler said. “I switched some things around front row to mess up their defense. They didn’t know where our strong hitters were going at times and I thought we definitely had some good attacks.”

Fredericktown was able to right the ship, just enough, at the end to pull out the victory. The Freddies scored the final five points of the night.

“I think we lost a little bit of belief in each other. This is a very team-oriented program. They love each other so much and they want to be good for each other. I think they overcompensate at times. We just needed to get back to Fredericktown volleyball and believe in each other,” Masters said.

Centerburg volleyball sweeps Knights

The Centerburg volleyball team didn’t waste much time in dispatching Northmor, 25-13, 25-8, 25-15, on Sept. 9 in Knox Morrow Athletic Conference action.

Sedona Weisbrod led the Trojans with 20 kills and nine digs. Jazmyn Larimore added 12 kills and eight digs, while Molly Kain had 14 digs and Jaelynn Caldwell had 15 digs and three aces.